Controversial land developer is murdered at home

On September 3, 2013, public defender Pam Lipscomb announced that new evidence will clear her client, Benito Flores, of any involvement in the murder of Philip Fontaine and implicate one of the other original suspects.

Lipscomb said they will reveal their findings at Flores' trial, which is scheduled to begin October 1.

In the meantime, the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department is reviewing the Fontaine case file to try to determine what the defense team has up its sleeve.

The Fontaine case

Oxford real estate developer Philip Fontaine was found dead in his home in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 14, 2012.

Philip Fontaine's body was in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor, and the house was a wreck. There was evidence the victim put up a fight, and it's possible he interrupted a burglary.

Fontaine's young wife Ashley discovered the grisly scene in their kitchen around 1:00 a.m. Both Mrs. Fontaine and her stepson Grant reportedly arrived home minutes before the 911 call was made.

How to get started

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